The real estate sales company didn't provide statistics to back up the reasons for the bounce in sales, but did allow that the comparisons to last year's first quarter are flattering because very few people were buying and selling through the recession.

"It is anecdotal information gleaned from interviews we completed with the brokers in each market, and based on trends they are noticing in the marketplace," a spokesperson said Monday. "As such, statistics aren't available, but it is a trend that was mentioned consistently among markets."